This is a great way to store plums for the winter.

plums

plums

plum tree in the garden

Once cooked and bottles, they need to be stored in the dark so as not to lose their colour, but will then last a good 12 months.

They can be used by spooned over icecream and meringues, or added to a sponge pudding.

I am using a sweet red wine (which is also fantastic with sweet cheese such as cheese with apricots).  Any sweet alcohol can be used such as white sweet wine like muscat,  or any sweet liqueur that you like.

Ingredients

20 firm plums
400 ml alcohol
2 tbsp lemon juice
275g caster sugar
6 rosemary springs

you also need sterilised airtight glass jars for storage

plums in sweet red wine

poaching plums

poaching plums

method

pour the alcohol, sugar and lemon juice into a pan and heat till the sugar
dissolves 
simmer for 6/8 minutes

add the plums and cook for 4 minutes
lift out the plums and put into the sterilised jars tightly so there is a 1cm
gap at the top

bring the syrup back to boil and cook for a further 3 minutes or until it
thickens
pour into the jars over the plums so as to cover them

tap the jars to get rid of any air pockets

seal the jars.

You can heat the jars in a water bath or oven to make sure the jars are
completely sealed but generally I don't bother, things never last that long in my 
house, they will not be kept for more than 12 months, and will do well to get
past Christmas.

plums in sweet red wine

plums in sweet red wine

plums in sweet red wine

Enjoy  x